Think Spring … and Help Grow a Healthy Community!

Old Man Winter may not be ready to release his frozen grip on the north country, but spring IS on the way.  As we await the return of sunny skies and warm temperatures, many of us are making plans for the growing season.  The next time you purchase gardening supplies, please consider picking up an extra packet or two of seeds in support of the Seeds & Needs campaign … and help a family start their own garden.

Community Action Planning Council is seeking donations of fruit and vegetable seeds and gardening supplies, such as spades, start-up potting cups and bags of potting soil – all of which will be made available to low-income families in an effort to promote healthy habits.

Last year, Community Action Planning Council distributed 156,624 meals to 10,506 individuals through our food pantry.  36% of the individuals served through the pantry are children.  Hunger is a very real issue, with increasing numbers of our friends and neighbors turning to food pantries for help.  Our customers who visit the pantry find healthy food options cost prohibitive. Seeds & Needs encourages low-income families to stretch their food dollars and to eat healthy by growing their own fruits and vegetables.

Grow with CA 01Thanks to the supporters of last year’s Seeds & Needs campaign, we distributed more than 1,300 packets of seeds and 600 tomato and pepper starter plants to families in need.  Please get involved in this community approach to healthy living.  Make a donation, organize a gardening supply drive, or put a collection box within your place of work to encourage customers or coworkers to contribute to Seeds & Needs.  Donations will be collected through the spring and distributed to families on May 28 during a Grow with Community Action open house event.

Donations may be dropped off between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM at Community Action Planning Council, located at 518 Davidson Street in Watertown.  For more information, contact Mary Jane at 315.782.4900, ext. 233.

Together, we can grow a healthy community!